Flight Data Handling with Augmented Reality - From a display system to an interactive operating system for Aerodrome Control Towers

This paper presents the results of a concept study conducted with four aerodrome air traffic controllers (ATCOs) of the German air navigation service provider DFS. Different configurations of a context-adaptive assistance system combined with augmented reality were tested and evaluated against a conventional tower controller working position (CWP). During the simulation runs eye tracking data was recorded to analyze head up and head down times for the different CWPs. Post-run assessments of workload, situational awareness and system usability were conducted. The best rated CWP was coupled to an experimental tower flight data processing system (TFDPS) and a 3D controller, which allowed both indirect and direct interaction with flight data in the augmented outside view. This particular CWP also revealed 68% mean dwell times for head up in contrast to the conventional tower CWP with only 43% mean dwell times. The ATCOs also experienced the lowest workload levels and the highest situation awareness with this configuration. According to the ATCOs’ feedback, the combined use of indirect and direct interaction with augmented flight data allows a flexible and intuitive use while working with such an assistance system. The results of the present study encourage a paradigm shift for flight data handling in combination with augmented reality: away from a solely display system to an interactive operating system